Motorcyclists seriously hurt in Durham I-40 collision

Two motorcyclists were seriously injured Friday in a two-vehicle collision on Interstate 40 West between the Fayetteville Road and NC 751 exits.

It happened about 8:40 a.m. after several vehicles suddenly slowed down, according to investigators. A 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander driven by Jessica Stalker, 22, of Graham and a 2015 Harley-Davidson motorcycle with a trailer driven by Ricky Blackburn, 48, of Washington, N.C., slowed down and attempted to merge into the left lane.

As the vehicles were merging, the front of the motorcycle struck the left rear of the Outlander, causing Blackburn and his wife, Sherry Blackburn, to be ejected from the motorcycle. Both motorcyclists were taken to the hospital for treatment.